More than 900 undocumented migrants from Southern African countries have been deported to their original nations, a South African official has said.
Bongani Bongo, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs of Parliament, revealed this during a visit on Monday to the Lindela Repatriation Center for undocumented migrants in Gauteng.
The visit came after 37 illegal foreigners escaped from the center.
“More than 900 of people were deported back to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho and we’re left with about 500 people”, Bongo said.
He said last week’s escape was captured on CCTV, a Xinxua news agency report said.
It was also alleged that the escapees worked with security guards but disciplinary process was underway.
“What happened last week was reported to the police. Two employees were suspended. We will be following on that,” he said.
He said the remaining 500 mainly from Malawi would be deported soon.
Bongo said the portfolio committee was satisfied with health conditions at the center.
“The department has provided the PPE’s, we are happy with the progress we saw inside the centre,” he said.